Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) Marks 25 Years of Working with Long Island Children to Keep Them Safe from Harm with November 1, 2007 Benefit

Roslyn, NY, October 25, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS), Long Island's leading non-profit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect through education, is celebrating its 25th anniversary and achievements toward working together to keep every child safe from harm, through the Champions for Children Gala, Thursday, November 1, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Mitchel Field.

CAPS originated, in 1982, as a coalition between the Junior League of LI and the National Council of Jewish Women—two large, volunteer organizations committed to the well-being of children. “Then, our focus was strictly that of child abuse prevention and our target was high school students,” said Alane Fagin, MS, who also marks a quarter century as CAPS’ Executive Director.

Now, CAPS’ prevention-through-education programs reach grades K-12, and not only address the issue of child abuse, but also sexual harassment, date rape, bully prevention and Internet safety. Programs for pregnant and parenting teenagers, and other “at risk” groups, covering family life skills and childrearing, are also offered.

Last year, CAPS professionally-trained volunteers presented school programs in more than 1,250 Nassau and Suffolk county classrooms, to 30,000 school-aged children. To date, over 100,000 parents and professionals, and more than 500,000 children have gone through CAPS workshops. “There is still
a great deal of work to be done, and demand for CAPS programs grows every year,” said Fagin.

The Gala evening, which includes lively entertainment by CityKids and The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, will also recognize the important work, on behalf of children, of Long Island’s business and philanthropic leaders: Bettina and Brian Finn; Angela Susan Anton, Publisher, Anton Community Newspapers; Anthony G. Bianchi, Esq., Manager, Freedom Mortgage Corp.; Karyn Browne, Executive Managing Editor, Scholastic, Inc.; Kenneth Cerini, Managing Partner, Cerini & Associates, LLP; John A. Limongelli, Executive Vice President, NRL Associates, Ltd.; Michele Devine, Financial Advisor, Wachovia Securities, LLC.

The Roslyn-based Child Abuse Prevention Services is Long Island’s comprehensive resource center for the prevention of child abuse, bullying and peer harassment. It is a non-profit organization underwritten by private donations, grants and legislative appropriations. Visit www.capsli.org or call 516-621-0552 for information about programs, educational materials and volunteer opportunities. For Gala registration and sponsorships, call 516-222-0550.

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